Mr Jakob Alfred Johanson

Mr Jakob Alfred Johanson, 34, was born in Bonäs, Nykarleby, on the Finnish West coast, on June 11, 1877. In 1896 he emigrated to the USA where he workd as a woodman before going to Alaska, apparently to prospect for gold. In this endeavour he was evidently successful for he raised enough money to return to Finland and buy back his father's farm.

While in America he met his wife Anna Lovisa Andersson, they married in 1901. They had four children Johan Viktor, Linnea Susanna, Anders Alfred and Agnes Maria. In 1907 they returned to Finland and the farm at Sandås, Munsala, near Nykarleby.

However, by 1912 Jakob was not satisfied with what the farm produced so he sold it to his brother Hannes. The idea was to emigrate to California (or Olympia, Washington). Alfred traveled first and the family would follow later. He travailed via Hangö and held a diary during the trip. He should have gone to America by another ship, but was rebooked on acount of the coal strike. Hence, on April 10, 1912 he boarded the Titanic at Southampton.

During the trip he kept company with the Wiklund brothers Jakob Alfred and Karl Johan and Anna Sjöblom. Of those only Anna was saved. Johanson's body was found later recovered (#143).